2.

"What will I do with my pictures of you?"

"What will I do with your baby clothes?"

This is the strongest woman I know.

Brought to her knees by the thought of my pink onesie.

If I had a nickel for every time a stranger has called me brave,

I still wouldn't have enough to pretend I felt strong when my mother wept for her first daughter.

This woman with a stone cold chest of emotions,

Dusty and untouched in years.

This woman who I spent my whole life trying to please.

This woman-

Who just wanted things to stay the same.

This woman to begged, "Just wait"

Unaware that I have been waiting my whole life.

How do you tell this woman,

"I will not see my next birthday if I have to wait."

I never saw it as being brave to do what you must to survive-

It's what humans are programmed for.

I have aged decades it seems,

Since telling my mother I was going m own way;

To walking around as "Mr." and "sir" today.

You must give up your childlike habits

To tell your hero that you do not need

The permission you once strived for.